Existing comment:
Establishing the Boundaries of Poland
Prior to World War I, Poland's territory was divided among the empires of Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary. The war reignited Polish dreams of self-determination. President Wilson and his administration wanted to redraw the country's borders based on the dominant language of the people in a given area. However Great Britain feared that approach would give Poland too much of Germany's natural resources and industries in the east. Britain wanted Germany left in a position to pay restitution for the war and to avoid a communist uprising, like the one in Russia. |